First Blooms of Spring: The Mojave Yucca

Spring has finally bloomed in the desert! Every day a wash of new color paints the desert floor as each new bloom unfolds. Sweet and earthy scents fill the air, hummingbirds flutter through the creosote, and dust devils whirl by unsettling the peaceful desert before disappearing. Spring is such a magical season. For the first time since we moved out here, the Yucca behind our house are blooming. They don't bloom every year so this is a wonderful treat.

Most of the year the Yucca is a Dr. Seuss looking plant. It's also called Spanish Dagger due to the ridiculously sharp branches. While I was taking pictures I actually had one stab me and draw blood. They may look strange but if you were ever in a survival situation they are a very useful plant. The roots can be used to make a natural soap, it has a low ignition point so it makes excellent fire starter, and the fruits are edible. The Indians also used the fibers to weave baskets.

Nearly ever plant in the desert has purpose and use.

A day of spring beauty in the desert

I woke up this morning with my day planned but during my morning hike with the puppies that all changed.

The desert greeted me this morning with the first blooms of spring!

 Let me tell you, it's a big deal because last spring there was almost nothing! In fact, I didn't even see a globe mallow bloom until Fall which is crazy because they normally don't bloom so late.

So I was delighted to see the neon orange blooms of a globe mallow peaking up from a wash as I made my way farther out into the vast desert.

Matt and I have been talking about our plans for this years garden and how we can improve it from last year.

The plants that thrived in our garden and survived the winter were mint, marjoram, rosemary, sage, and jasmine. We managed to get a small sampling of tomatoes and everything else struggled through the bizarre weather we had last year.  It was our first attempt at desert gardening so this year I hope to make a few improvements.

Starting off this year by improving our soil and starting the majority of our veggies by seeds this go around. I got a few mature herbs that I know will thrive and I plan to scatter them around the garden. I figure lots of herbs are just as pretty as flowers; only they last longer, smell amazing, edible, and are useful.  The puppies were on quality control detail, they were chewing on sticks and guarding their momma.  Hummingbirds were buzzing around, fighting over the feeder, and I had my hands in the dirt playing with my new plants.

I called it a day after the sun faded away... Such a perfect end to a beautiful day. It wasn't until I came inside and turned on the computer that I realized today was the first day of spring! It's amazing how life works out. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the start of this beautiful season.

If you have any tips, tricks, or techniques to gardening in the desert please feel free to share them in the comments. We are always looking to learn something new:)